Hand-strap for street-cars.



N0. 7|0,536. Patenta'd Oct. 7, I902. M. $TRAUS.

HAND STRAP FOR STREET CARS. (Application filed Feb. 24, 1902 UNirnn Sterne MAX STRAUS,

or DENVER,

COLORADO.

HAN D-STRAP FOR STREET-CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 710,536, dated ()ctober 7, 1902.

Application filed February 24, 1902. Serial No. 95.398v \No model.)

To all whrmt it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, MAX STRA US, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Denver, in the county of Arapahoe and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hand Straps for Street-Oars; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in hand-straps for street-railway cars.

The object of the invention is to provide a hand-strap which is so constructed as to be adapted to persons of varying heights, and to this end I employ a main supporting-strap, to which is secured a plurality of graspingloops arranged at different levels or planes or so as to be one above the other, thus enabling a person to grasp a loop best suited to his height and at the same time providing for the accommodation of two or more persons simultaneously, which is a matter of importance when a car is crowded. The grasping-loops may be rigidly secured to the sup portingstrap or in swinging engagement therewith, as may be desired, and an elastic or yielding connection may be interposed between the supporting-strap and grasping-loop, all of which will be set forth in the accompanying specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of the improved hand-strap wherein a supporting-strap is employed, to which a plurality of graspingloops are secured. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of another form of hand-strap wherein the grasping-loops are secured one above the other to the supporting-strap, a portion of each loop being made up of an elastic or yielding portion. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a supporting-strap, showing a grasping-loop secured thereto in such a manner that it may be swung to either side, as shown by the dotted line; and Fig. 4=is a perspective view of a portion of a supportingstrap,showin g a grasping-loop rigidly secured thereto, so as to lie at an angle to the position of said strap.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the letter A indicates the usual supportingrod, which is secured to the roof of the car in the well-known manner, and from this rod is suspended a suitable number of straps B, to each of which is secured a plurality of grasping-loops C, which may be rigidly secured to the said strap or in swinging engagement therewith, as may be desired. The strapsB may be of any preferred form or design which will admit of the grasping-loops being arranged a suitable distance apart and one above another, though in Fig. 1 the form shown is that of a substantially triangularshaped support, the two members I) of which converge downwardly to a point where the lowest grasping-loop O is secured. The straps B have an extension 19 at each end, which encircles the rod A, as shown, and is secured to the member I) by a rivet b thus securing the strap upon the rod A. The rivet b also secures the highest of the grasping-loops O to the member I), the next highest being secured at a point midway between the aforesaid loop and that secured at the apex of the strap. \Vhen this particular form of strap is employed, each member I) is supported centrally by an integral web If, the free end of which encircles the rod A midway between the extension I), a rivet b passing through the said free end and the body of the web 17 as shown. In this way the grasping-loops are arranged one above another at different heights, and a neat and convenient device is thus presented, whereby each person may be accommodated with a hand-strap best suited to his particular height. 1

In Fig. 2 the supporting-strap D is provided with a plurality of grasping-loops cl, which are arranged one above another and are adapted to have a swinging connection with the said strap. Each of these graspingloops (1 is shown as having elastic or yielding end members 01 which will give under strain, so that a person holding the said loop will not be subjected to the sudden jerking motion caused by the starting and stopping of the car.

Fig. 3 shows a portion of a supporting-strap E having a grasping-loop e, which is in swinging engagement therewith, While Fig. 4 shows a strap F having a grasping-loop f, which is in rigid engagement therewith and positioned to lie at an angle thereto, as shown.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a simple and convenient handstrap and onewhich is especially serviceable in a crowded car, and the grasping-loops being arranged one above another enables each person to select the loop best suited to his height.

Having fully described my invention, I do not Wish to limit myself to the precise construction shown, but reserve the right to modify the'same within the scope of the claims.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a hand-strap, the combination with a supporting-rod, of a depending supporting- MAX STRAUS.

Vitnesses:

G. SARGENT ELLIOTT, MoRRIs SELIGSUHN. 

